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Joint Statement - September 26, 2024
Advocates Call for Reproductive Justice in Canada!
As sexual and reproductive health advocates working for reproductive justice across Canada, we call for the rapid adoption of Bill C-64, the federal Pharmacare Act, which includes universal, single-payer coverage to make contraception free for all Canadians.
There is a significant unmet need for contraception across Canada, and people who can become pregnant disproportionately bear the costs of both contraception and unintended pregnancy. However, the success of British Columbia’s free contraception program, as well as Manitoba’s decision to implement free contraception coverage beginning October 1, 2024, show that making contraception free is an effective policy response to this public health issue.
The ability to control when and if to have children is a basic right. Access to contraception should not be limited based on where you live - it is critical healthcare that should be available to all of us, regardless of what part of Canada we call home.
Bill C-64 passed third reading in the House of Commons on June 3, 2024, but is still awaiting approval by the Senate. On this World Contraception Day, we call on all senators to pass Bill C-64 quickly and without amendment, as a critical step to expanding reproductive justice in Canada.
AccessBC Campaign
AccessNow Nova Scotia
Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada
BC Poverty Reduction Coalition
BC Humanist Association
Choice in Health Clinic
Centre for Family Equity
Graduate Student Society of UBC Vancouver
North Shore Women's Centre
Wellness Within
West Coast LEAF
Universal Access to Contraception Saskatchewan
Women's Legal Education & Action Fund
Contraception Access in Canada and Background
An IUD can cost up to $500, oral contraceptive pills cost at least $240 per year, an implant can cost $350, and hormone injections as much as $180 per year. These costs fall disproportionately on women and people who can get pregnant. Cost is a significant barrier to people accessing prescription contraception.
As of April 1, 2023, B.C. became the first province in Canada to make most prescription contraceptives free. The 2023 provincial budget allocated $119 million over three years to fund this program, covering a wide range of options including most oral contraceptive pills, injections, hormonal rings, copper and hormonal intrauterine devices (IUDs), implants, and emergency contraception (Plan B). Manitoba will be implementing a similar program starting October 1, 2024.
Studies have found that free prescription contraception is a revenue-positive policy. The Contraception and Abortion Research Team (CART) at UBC, recently estimated that free prescription contraception should save the government of BC $27 million per year (or $5 per resident), and that Ontario would save $76.9 million per year if it were to implement the policy. A 2015 study in the Canadian Association Medical Journal estimated the cost of delivering universal contraception in Canada at $157 million, but the savings – in the form of direct medical costs of unintended pregnancy – are estimated at $320 million.
Additional background information can be found in the AccessBC Briefing Paper.